The Cross of Lorraine

En: 5 Ed: 6

French soldiers are imprisoned by the Nazis, are treated
cruelly, and eventually escape.

When the French army surrenders, some soldiers are taken on
a train to a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. André Duval
(Hume Cronyn) says he knows German and serves as a translator.
Victor La Biche (Gene Kelly) mocks Hitler and is knocked out.
About a dozen men are given one loaf of bread; but instead of
fighting over it, Father Sebastian (Cedrick Hardwicke) thanks
God. Nazi Sgt. Berger (Peter Lorre) says that no religious rituals
are allowed. Duval is shunned for being an informer, and he gives
Paul Dupré (Jean-Pierrre Aumont) cigarettes; but Dupré
refuses to collaborate. Victor spits on Sgt. Berger and is kicked
in the face. Pierre (Wallace Ford) draws the high card among three
volunteers and tries to climb the fence, but he is shot. When
he dies, hungry Dupré drinks his soup. Sebastian prays
over Pierre and is shot dead. The men hate Duval; they decide
to be democratic and vote to kill him. Victor tells Dupré
that he is afraid to join the escape; but when the prisoners do
escape and lead the town in a revolt, Victor joins the fight.

This war propaganda film portrays the Nazis stereotypically
as ruthless killers, but it shows some complexity in the responses
of the various French prisoners as it makes its point that the
French should resist the German occupation.